“That promotion was in place before their relationship started,” Resven said. “Minister Parseon petitioned to delay his confirmation, because his duties would preclude him from visiting the Capital for the first two years. You can find the record of it in the governmental archives in Section—”

“Oh, shut up.” Vercia grimaced. “It’s too late to play nursemaid to the orphan, Resven. Your little boy is fully grown. He is capable of speaking for himself.”

“You’re an uncultured woman. You bring shame to your family,” the chancellor spat out.

“Not for much longer. Soon my family and everyone in the Dominion will know that brushing me aside comes with a price.”

I had many partners over the years, male, female, humanoid and not, yet none of them remain by my side. Poor Kosandion.

Vercia tossed her hair back with an impatient jerk of her head. “Let’s cut to the chase. You can do nothing to me. I’ve covered my tracks, and you have no proof. Only the accusation of incompetence might stick, and once this beautiful mess becomes public, everyone will see my actions for exactly what they were: a deep, calculated stab to the heart. My career will soar, while you’ll nurse your wound and try to recover some semblance of respect in the public eye.”

“A pirate,” Kosandion said. “A despicable criminal. You allowed him to enter the selection and then you passed confidential information to his associates, endangering everyone here. Do you even know what he has done?”

She smiled. “Every single bit of it. Mass murder, rape, slavery. He has done everything a man can do when he’s given weapons, fast craft, and money without any strings of moral guidance. He is reviled even by his peers. That’s why I picked him. It had to be sickening, Kosandion, otherwise it wouldn’t have the necessary impact. I’ve dropped enough hints to the right people. Go ahead. Try to hide it. It will explode in your face. Every gory detail of his atrocities will be splashed over the Dominion’s screens. The tower of your pitiful arrogance brought down low in one swift cut. I’ll cherish it.”

Orata took a step forward. “I can fix it.”

Kosandion glanced at her.

“Please, Letero. She is my subordinate. Let me fix it.”

Kosandion considered it. “You have till tomorrow’s elimination.”

Orata nodded, her face sharp, and tapped her earpiece. “Selerian, wake everyone. Yes, everyone.”

Kosandion turned his head slightly. Miralitt nodded to the guards. “Confine Public Servant Denoma.”

“On what grounds?” Vercia demanded.

“Breach of protocol. Failure to greet the Sovereign, failure to call the Sovereign by title, and interfering with a Public Servant with intent to disrupt his duties.”

“What?” Vercia drew back.